Pristina - The number of international troops in Kosovo (Kfor) will be reduced but they will not be completely withdrawn, Kfor commander general Giuseppe Emilio Gay said on Tuesday.

"We are in the phase of reducing our troops and this will happen in every corner of Kosovo", Gay said in Pristina.

Serbian daily Politika reported earlier Tuesday that NATO was set to drastically reduce troop numbers in Kosovo by June, leaving only "a symbolic number of troops". Gay denied the reports.

"I've never said we'll withdraw from Kosovo, but only that there will be a reduction of troops", he said and added the reduction of Kfor is a result of peaceful and stable security situation in Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 and has been recognized by more than 50 countries including United States and most of the European Union. Some 16,000 NATO troops are still present in Kosovo. (dpa)